Adenosine mediates transforming growth factor-beta 1 release in kidney glomeruli of diabetic rats

Up regulation of the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) axis has been recognized as a pathogenic event for progression of glomerulosclerosis in diabetic nephropathy. We demonstrate that glomeruli isolated from diabetic rats accumulate up to sixfold more extracellular adenosine than normal rats. Both decreased nucleoside uptake activity by the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 and increased AMP hydrolysis contribute to raise extracellular adenosine. Ex vivo assays indicate that activation of the low affinity adenosine A_2B receptor subtype (A_2BAR) mediates TGF-β1 release from glomeruli of diabetic rats, a pathogenic event that could support progression of glomerulopathy when the bioavailability of adenosine is increased.     

Sensitivity of the cell cycle to TGFβ1 does not correlate with transformation of a rat liver epithelial cell line

The effects of TGF1 on cell cycle events in a rat liver derived epithelial cell line (BL9) and in two in vitro transformants of this line were studied by flow cytometry. Using either ethidium bromide staining or the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine to evaluate DNA synthesis it was shown that TGF1 prevented the entry of G0/G1 phase BL9 cells into S phase. TGF1 did not exert its inhibitory effect(s) on DNA synthesis by the modulation of early events in the cell cycle. The tumorigenic transformed BL9 cell lines gave contrasting responses to the effects of TGF1. DNA synthesis in a BL9 cell line derived by transfection with an active N-ras oncogene was unaffected by TFG1 and thus appeared refractory to its growth controlling effects. On the other hand cells from a BL9 cell line derived by in vitro transformation with activated aflatoxin B₁ retained their sensitivity to the effects of TGF1. Thus the loss of the inhibitory effect of TGF1 on DNA synthesis is not obligatory for the malignant transformation of rat liver epithelial cells.Abbreviations TGF1 transforming growth factor 1 - BSA bovine serum albumin - FBS foetal bovine serum - BrdUrd bromodeoxyuridine - PI propidium iodide - PBS phosphate buffered saline     

Comparison of transforming growth factor β and a human tumour-derived suppressor factor

Summary Serum-free supernatants from the human melanoma cell line G361 contain a factor that can potently suppress the generation of tumouricidal lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in response to interleukin-2. To characterise the suppressive factor of tumour origin we performed a number of physicochemical and functional comparisons with another immunosuppressive protein, transforming growth factor (TGF). The bioactivity of tumour-derived suppressor factor (TDSF), assayed by suppression of LAK cell generation, was unaffected by a reducing agent but lost when denatured with a chaotropic agent. In contrast, TGF was inactivated by reduction but not denaturation. TDSF lost bioactivity in conditions of pH less than 4, whereas TGF showed no loss of activity. The TDSF moiety has an estimated pI of 4.3 and a molecular mass of 69–87 kDa. This differs from published values of pI 9.5, and 25 kDa molecular mass for TGF. Anti-TGF antiserum reversed the effects of TGF but did not affect the suppression of LAK cell generation caused by TDSF. These findings provide compelling evidence that the TDSF moiety is not TGF, and may be a novel immunoregulatory cytokine.     

1-Methylguanine and 7-methylguanine increase cell agglutinability

Summary 1-Methylguanine and 7-methylguanine, both metabolic products of tRNA degradation, are known to induce transformation of Chinese hamster fibroblasts in culture. The effects of these compounds on the cell membrane have been studied by the method of Concanavalin A-mediated hemadsorption. 1-Methylguanine or 7-methylguanine induced a 50% increase of Con A-mediated hemadsorption within 20 hours of exposure of the cells to the agent at a concentration of 10^-5 M. This alteration was reversed within 13 days when the cells were grown in the control medium. Prolonged treatment with 1-methylguanine or 7-methylguanine resulted in changes which were only slowly reversed during growth of the cells in the control medium. The effect of the methylated purines on the cell membrane could be completely inhibited by simultaneous addition of dibutyryl-cAMP at a concentration of 10^-5 M. The possible mechanism of cell membrane alteration by methylated purines and its relevance to transformation in vitro are discussed.     

Effect of Calcitriol in Combination with Corticosterone, Interleukin-1β, and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on Nerve Growth Factor Secretion in an Astroglial Cell Line

Abstract: In astrocytes, nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis has been described to be stimulated by the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and inhibited by corticosterone. As all three factors are present in the brain under certain conditions, we investigated the effect of their combined application on NGF secretion in the astroglial cell line RC7 and, in addition, studied the effect of calcitriol (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃). Calcitriol stimulated NGF secretion, whereas corticosterone reduced basal levels of NGF secretion as well as inhibited the NGF secretion induced by IL-1β, calcitriol, and TGF-β1. Calcitriol had an additive effect when applied together with IL-1β and a synergistic effect when applied with TGF-β1. Moreover, calcitriol not only counteracted the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on NGF secretion stimulated by TGF-β1 but even augmented it to a level more than threefold higher than that reached with TGF-β1 alone. Due to the trophic effect of NGF on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, these findings might be of therapeutic relevance under conditions where cholinergic function is impaired and the endogenous levels of corticosterone, IL-1β, or TGF-β1 are elevated.     

转化生长因子β1在肾小管上皮细胞的信号介导分子

本研究在人肾小管上皮细胞系(HK-2)上探讨了介导转化生长因子β_1(TGFβ_1)生物学效应的信号介导分子。结果表明SMADs信号蛋白及ERK激酶均参与TGFβ_1的信号转导;通路特异性Smad2于TGFβ_1作用4小时后开始增加,持续至48小时;而抑制性Smad6于TGFβ_1作用1小时开始减少,4小时达到最低值,以后逐渐恢复;ERK只参与TGFβ抑制增殖效应,对TGFβ促进FN分泌无影响。     

大剂量电离辐射对小鼠肺组织的影响

目的探讨大剂量电离辐射对小鼠肺的影响。方法 60Coγ照射小鼠,HE染色观察小鼠肺组织损伤,免疫组化检测小鼠肺转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)和细胞间粘附因子1(ICAM1)的表达。结果大剂量照射后3d,小鼠肺发生明显异常病变,TGFβ1和ICAM1表达量明显增加。结论肺内皮细胞损伤和血管内物质外漏可能是急性放射性肺损伤的早期重要事件,早期检测ICAM1有助于预测急性放射性肺损伤的发生程度。     

骨形态发生蛋白7 在前列腺癌中的表达

目的:探讨骨形态发生蛋白( BMP-7)在前列腺癌组织中的表达及其与临床分期之间的关系.方法:应用免疫印迹法检测30例前列腺癌患者及30例前列腺良性增生患者前列腺组织中BMP-7的表达情况.结果:前列腺癌组织中BMP-7的表达显著高于前列腺良性增生组织,且BMP-7的表达随前列腺癌的临床分期、Gleason分级增高而增加.结论:BMP-7在前列腺癌中的表达明显增高,其表达量与临床分期相关,前列腺癌组织中BMP-7的表达增高提示预后不佳.